MPs have given no majority to any of the eight Brexit alternatives considered on day one of the indicative vote process.

Calls for a customs union with the EU were rejected by 272 to 264 votes while a call for a referendum to endorse any deal was rejected by 295 to 268 votes.

Brexit Secretary Steven Barclay said the results strengthened ministers' view their deal was "the best option".

He said a "wide variety of options" had been considered and it was clear there was no "simple way forward".

Commons Speaker John Bercow announced he has selected none of the amendments to the business of the House motion, which is governing the indicative votes process.

Brexit-backing MPs had tabled several amendments but the Commons will be expected to vote on Tory former minister Sir Oliver Letwin's unamended proposal at no later than 3pm.

The debate on the indicative vote options is then expected to follow until 7pm.

Moving his motion, Sir Oliver acknowledged there would "no doubt be a quite complicated and highly contentious set of discussions" about the motions tabled.

Sir Oliver said he would continue to support the Prime Minister's Brexit deal.

He added: "I am absolutely clear that this is not an insurgency at all, it is an adjustment of the standing orders for today and if this is agreed for Monday it does not affect Thursday, nor does it affect Friday, should the Government choose to make Friday a sitting day.

"And either today or Friday and I personally would entirely welcome this, the Government may of course bring forward meaningful vote three, for which I shall vote. "

Glasgow North East MP Paul Sweeney said: "No clear majority for any Brexit option tonight but this was just the first stage in a process - no one expected a definitive result or majority tonight - we now need to use the days next week to find a way forward for the country.

"Labour three line whipped for the Beckett-Kyle-Wilson Amendment - in line with our party policy and the clear views of the overwhelming majority of our voters, members and trade unionists - this was a very welcome move.

"We stand against a damaging Tory Brexit and catastrophic no deal. A consensus could potentially be constructed on possible deals from Monday onwards but it is crucial the British people have the final say in a confirmatory vote."

Liberal Democrat MP Jo Swinson said on Twitter: "Theresa May's deal has - on both attempts - secured significantly less support than a #PeoplesVote achieved tonight.

"But the Government groundhog day rhetoric continues...

"The public deserves better than this #BrexitShambles - we should #PutItToThePeople."